Chapter 20
#020. As You Wish, My Most Precious One
"Lady, is there anything that makes you uncomfortable?"
At Hanna's cautious words, Olivia looked up from her book. Olivia shrugged lightly and smiled.
"No. Everything unfolds just by asking, so how could I be uncomfortable?"
She was sincere. Every moment spent at the Grand Duke's Residence for the past three days had been satisfying. Delicious meals and snacks that came out frequently, a library full of books, and a cozy bed. Even with his busy schedule, the Grand Duke made sure to have breakfast and dinner with Olivia. Every time he dressed up in fancy clothes and escorted her to the door, she felt embarrassed but took his hand.
"But you keep sighing."
"Huh?"
"You sigh every time you look at a page of the book, and you kept sighing while drinking tea earlier."
"Did I?"
Olivia asked back. Hanna looked serious, as if wondering if she didn't know.
"There really is something that makes you uncomfortable, isn't there? Is it the bedding or the slippers? Or does the dress feel rough? Or do the snacks come out too often?"
Hanna began to list them one by one. Her expression grew darker. Olivia hurriedly waved her hand, afraid that she would say that everything was uncomfortable.
"No. It's not because of that."
"Then what is it?"
Olivia thought quickly at Hanna's anxious face. Fortunately, she had the best excuse.
"I'd like to ask for a diary. I used to keep a diary, and I think it's because I'm not keeping up with that habit."
It was half true. She had always kept a diary, so it felt strange not to write one.
"You should have told me sooner. Please wait a moment. I'll buy you the best diary."
Hanna's face brightened. Olivia smiled and told her which bookstore to buy the diary from. Hanna thought everything was resolved. But the moment Olivia continued to sigh, Hanna thought there was still something unresolved.
"There must be something else besides the diary, right?"
Hanna said with an anxious face. Olivia finally put down the book and straightened her body as a habit.
"It's nothing much. It's just that the victory banquet is the day after tomorrow."
"Yes. I knew that His Highness would be attending as a war hero. What about it?"
"Just. I don't really like banquets."
It was a made-up excuse, but half of it was true. It was difficult to like banquets where she was always alone and full of gossip. But this time, apart from liking or disliking banquets, she didn't want to go at all. Everyone she had run away from was at the banquet hall. Her father, Conrad, Jade, and even Leopold. Just thinking of their names made her chest ache. In an instant, the words they had said to her seemed to echo in her ears.
"If you don't like it that much, it would be nice if you didn't go."
Hanna trailed off. She even looked at Olivia, knowing that it was impossible. Olivia chuckled and called Hanna. When Hanna ran over, she stroked Hanna's hair, and Hanna smiled brightly like a child.
"I know, right? It would be nice if I didn't go."
She had always thought that every time she went to a banquet. That she didn't want to go. But she couldn't say it out loud. Olivia Madelaine. Princess Madeleine and the Crown Prince's fiancée. The woman with the highest status other than the Imperial Family, and she, who would soon become a member of the Imperial Family, could not miss the banquet. Even if she left the Duke's Residence without a word, even if she couldn't return to Leopold's side. Olivia sighed slowly. Hanna was tearful, saying that she was sighing again, but there was nothing she could do. . . . After finishing dinner, the Grand Duke lightly lifted his teacup and said.
"Are you keeping your promise to me?"
Olivia, who was drinking tea with him, widened her eyes. She had never been checked for homework by a tutor, so it was strange for someone to ask about her daily life. She had been monitored a lot, though. Olivia smiled faintly and nodded.
"Yes. I'm keeping it well. I'm eating well now."
Olivia playfully shook her cup. The Grand Duke glanced at the cake plate he hadn't touched, but that was all.
"It seems like you're eating well, and I can't check if you're sleeping well, but I believe you are."
The Grand Duke trailed off. Olivia tilted her head, wondering what was wrong, and the third promise came to her mind. Oops. She tried to pretend to forget shamelessly, but the red eyes she met seemed to have noticed quickly and smiled slowly.
"What about the third one?"
"Pardon?"
"You haven't used me even once. Isn't this a complete violation of the third promise?"
The drawn-out ending clearly showed that he was upset. Olivia shook her head reflexively. And she was a little surprised. It was a childish act that she had never done to her father, let alone Conrad or Jade. Olivia looked at the man with new eyes. She knew that she felt comfortable with the Grand Duke. But she didn't know she would go this far in just three days. Thinking that she should be careful with her actions, Olivia slowly began to speak.
"Thankfully, everyone at the Grand Duke's Residence is so kind that there was nothing I needed to ask for separately."
"That's strange. Really nothing?"
At that moment, she thought of her conversation with Hanna. Olivia glanced at Hanna, who was standing nearby. When their eyes met, Hanna smiled bashfully. Olivia pretended not to know, as Hanna didn't seem to have said anything.
"That's strange. There should be something."
When the Grand Duke, who was dragging out the end of his words, nodded his head, all the servants and Knights standing by the wall left. Olivia couldn't help but look at the servants with lingering eyes, but even the kind and sensitive chef Johann, the deliveryman Jensen who brought flowers to her room, and Hanna quickly left the dining room. With the door securely closed, Olivia only raised the corners of her lips. Her mouth was a little dry even though she had drunk tea.
"......"
"......"
When Olivia didn't say anything, the Grand Duke was also silent. Silence filled the dining room. When this silence became a little uncomfortable, Olivia slowly lowered her gaze.
"......There's nothing. There's really nothing I can ask Your Highness for help with."
Olivia vaguely turned the words around. It was the affair of the Duke, the head of the Imperial Family and the Emperor's faction, and it was a family matter. Even if he was a war hero, there was nothing the Grand Duke could do. Olivia smiled faintly.
"If I ask for more, I'll be too greedy. You've already given me a place to come to."
It would be nice if she could continue to receive such kindness. Sadly, Olivia knew the end of this dreamlike kindness. Olivia slowly swallowed. The inside of her throat stung as if it had been scratched.
"......In that sense, I'll go back to the Duke's Residence tomorrow."
"Are you serious?"
"Yes. Usually, the dress and jewelry come a day before."
Olivia swallowed her bitterness. Reality was like that. A place that instilled expectations and then threw them away. She couldn't cause trouble for the Grand Duke, who had been so kind to her. If she continued to linger here, the Imperial Family and the Emperor's faction, led by the Duke's Residence, might pour attacks on the Grand Duke. Olivia smiled playfully on purpose.
"Now it's my turn to repay you. I told you, didn't I? The Madeleine are strong in gratitude."
Madeleine. Her last name, which she had been so proud of, felt somehow awkward. Olivia glossed over it with a smile. But the Grand Duke's narrowed eyes looked somehow uncomfortable.
"......Why do you keep looking at me like that?"
"What am I doing?"
"I don't know why you look like you're angry."
"Rather than anger, it's because I don't understand. I told you to use me, so what's the reason for holding back?"
Olivia pressed her lips tightly. The Grand Duke, who had caught the flow, let out a short breath. Ruby-like red eyes shone yo-yo.
"......As I told you, Lady, I am always a covetous person."
Complex emotions flashed across the Grand Duke's face as he said those words. The man, who seemed to have been created by the gods gathering beauty, smiled at Olivia.
"I met you just when I was always thirsty for the most precious thing."
A languid gaze slowly turned to Olivia. Silvery white hair as cold as silver, slender shoulders, tightly clenched and pale hands, and finally, green eyes that were despised as traces of a dancer. It was strange. Why did that man value her so much? It was the moment their eyes met. Olivia swallowed without realizing it. The eyes that had always smiled kindly somehow seemed to desperately cling to her. At that moment, the Grand Duke reached out to Olivia. And he said in a squeezing, desperate voice.
"So please tell me."
"......"
"What you, the most precious one, desire."
Olivia couldn't breathe. In fact. In fact, she didn't want to go back. Once she realized it, the things she had been holding back flowed out like a dam bursting. All the things she had always comforted herself with, the emotions she had buried, burst out. It was hard to be bound by the role of Princess Madeleine and the Crown Prince's fiancée. She also didn't like it when it was natural to take over the Princess's work. The Empress's harsh words and the gossip about her that circulated in society. But most of all. It was hard to look at her family who didn't look back at her, and Leopold's back who didn't love her. She couldn't continue her one-sided love that had always been sincere. Olivia looked at the man. When she saw those red eyes that seemed to know everything, she felt like she would burst into tears. Why was the Grand Duke waiting for her decision without saying anything? To her, who had always been notified of only decided matters. That desperation continued to shake Olivia. And finally. Olivia murmured in a low voice.
"......Then can you help me as I wish?"
"Lady."
The Grand Duke licked his lips as if he was sorry. A provocative gaze brushed Olivia's lips.
"I keep telling you. I'm always ready for you, Lady Olivia."
* * *
The last day of the victory banquet. A magnificent melody flowed through the lavishly decorated banquet hall. The huge brass instruments vibrated incessantly to the thumping of the drums. Duke Madeleine, who had been frowning at the head-splitting dance music, hardened his expression.
"Greetings to the Crown Prince."
"It's been a while, Duke. Are you well?"
Leopold spoke arrogantly. Leopold, dressed in a splendid gold and navy uniform, narrowed his eyes slightly.
"No, I can't be well. Rumor has it that my fiancée has disappeared."
The Duke's eyes turned coldly. So did Leopold's. His handsome face, revealing his impatient annoyance, faced the Duke.
"...She is not an irresponsible child."
"I'm sure. I know that too. The important thing is where Olivia is now."
"I will check."
"I hope my fiancée will be here soon."
The Duke bowed briefly. Facing his upright nature, Leopold swallowed an inexplicable displeasure. Maria Etel, who had been standing a short distance away, came fluttering over. Maria Etel, wearing a glittering gold dress, worriedly took Leopold's arm.
"Is something the matter, Your Highness?"
"...Nothing."
Leopold replied briefly. There must be a reason why he was so irritable. But the clever Maria didn't ask any further. Instead, she lifted her dress and whispered sweetly.
"I heard you sent Lady Olivia navy blue. So I wore gold as brilliant as Your Highness's hair. How do I look?"
Leopold chuckled at her lovely flattery. Then he stroked Maria's hair and kissed her. Maria looked around with a happy expression at the intense display of affection. It was the last day of the victory banquet, and there were more nobles gathered than usual. She was the star of the show. The half-blooded Lady Olivia seemed to know it too. Judging by how she hasn't shown up. Maria's eyes, looking around, gradually fell on the sons of the Madeleine Dukedom. Conrad, who was indifferent to the rumors of his sister's disappearance, and Jade, who couldn't control his anger. A half-blooded thing who, just because she was the Duke's daughter, had tied up her lover since childhood. Thanks to her, she was now branded as the Crown Prince's lover with a fiancée. But it was time for a change. Maria smiled slyly and looked at the nobles. Her planted spies began to spread the word. . . .
"Is it true that the half-blooded Lady Olivia has already been kicked out of the Dukedom?"
"Oh, no way. Anyway, the Lady Olivia is still the Crown Prince's fiancée."
"What's an engagement? There are many young ladies who get engaged and break it off."
"But the Duke is the head of the Emperor's faction. Then what about the second Lady Madeleine?"
"Be careful what you say. The Duke cherishes the second Lady Madeleine so much."
The murmur grew louder and louder. Jade gritted his teeth, ready to jump out at any moment.
"Don't cause a commotion."
If it hadn't been for Conrad, who was pressing down hard on his shoulder from behind, he would have jumped out. Jade glared at the nobles with venomous eyes. The nobles, startled by the sharp energy, coughed, but they couldn't silence everyone. Jade couldn't shake off his frustration. Olivia, who had left five days ago, was nowhere to be found. He had searched all the hotels in the capital, but couldn't even find a trace of her. Where on earth was she? Jade bit his lip. Just as his simmering anger continued to rise, the servant guarding the door shouted.
"His Highness Edwin Lowell Vikander, the war hero, is entering!"
The Grand Duke was entering where he glanced. His white face shone even more coldly as he wore a black suit with gold trim on his black hair. Jade's eyes, which had been looking at the Grand Duke with annoyance, widened in an instant. The one next to the Grand Duke...! When the woman in the dazzling white dress slowly looked around, the cheers and murmurs quickly subsided. The green-eyed lady standing next to the Grand Duke was…….
"……Olivia."
Jade muttered quietly. At the same time, the servant shouted again, as if embarrassed.
"……H, Her partner, Lady Olivia Madelaine, is entering with him!"
Olivia Madelaine. The unappealing lady who always wore dark and drab dresses with minimal decorations. And now she was in a pure white dress. A white dress with densely packed jewels, a sparkling pink necklace, and delicately crafted accessories. They were expensive-looking dresses and jewels, but regardless, people only looked at Olivia Madelaine herself. Was that woman so beautiful? The aloof expression on her elegant and beautiful face was as mysterious as a fairy. Her green eyes, which had always been criticized, had a sweet and strange atmosphere. She was so beautiful that you couldn't take your eyes off her. When the sound of someone gulping loudly echoed. The most dangerous man in the world erased his cold expression and escorted Olivia.
"We greet His Most High Majesty, the Emperor."
"……Yes. Grand Duke. You came with a partner today."
The Emperor, who received the Grand Duke's greeting, broke the heavy silence and looked at the Lady Olivia. The Lady Olivia, who always had a dark face, was wearing a pure white dress for the first time. As if to solidify the oath she made last time. Meanwhile, the Grand Duke smiled softly.
"It is all thanks to His Majesty's grace. Your Majesty. Do you remember the wish you gave me on the first day of the banquet?"
The banquet hall was silent again in an instant. Everyone knew what would follow this atmosphere. When the Grand Duke's eyes met the Lady Olivia affectionately, Leopold stepped forward. He had to stop whatever that bastard was going to say, but the Grand Duke spoke first.
"Please allow me to marry the most precious woman, Olivia Madelaine."
Everyone doubted their ears. The Grand Duke, who dared to propose to the Crown Prince's fiancée in front of the Emperor, smiled more kindly than anyone else. Olivia Madelaine, who received the proposal. The Crown Prince's fiancée had a calmer face than anyone else. As if she knew this situation. Soon, murmurs spread throughout the banquet hall. It was a ripple that even the Emperor couldn't help.
